Getting there safely

Angie Perez was on her way to pick up her husband from work when she and her 2-year-old, Jeff, were involved in an accident.

When Perez slowed for a construction zone, a drunken driver rear-ended her Mustang, sending the toddler, car seat and all, head-first into the rearview mirror.

"As the DUI suspect fled the scene, my son was left bleeding profusely in the vehicle as his mother screamed for help," said Angie Perez's husband, Jeff Perez, a California Highway Patrol officer at the Victorville station. At the time of the collision, he worked in the San Jose area.

Young Jeff's car seat had not been correctly installed, his father said — a common mistake. The Perezes are not alone in their experience.

In 2006, about 184,000 children ages 14 and younger were hurt in motor vehicle crashes across the United States and 1,335 children lost their lives, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Many of these children could have been saved by a properly installed car seat.

According to the national organization Safe Kids, which certifies child passenger-seat technicians, 85 percent of car seats observed by the technicians at Safe Kids Buckle Up events were being misused.

Although fewer parents have placed their children on their laps while operating a motor vehicle, CHP officials say, proper installations remains paramount to ensure kids are safely buckled up.

"I cannot stress enough how important it is that all children under (age) 6 or 60 pounds be securely fastened in their car seat," said John Stroh, a doctor and the emergency division vice-chair at Victor Valley Community Hospital.

He recounted an incident in which a family of three was in a car accident — the parents had to be airlifted to another facility due to the severity of their injuries, and the child, who was strapped into a car seat, sustained little or no injury.

"That's how dramatic a difference a car seat can make when used properly," Stroh said.

Young Jeff Perez made a full recovery after his accident, retaining only a small U-shaped scar on his scalp as a reminder of that day. The now 20-year-old attends California State University at Sacramento, and his father has become a certified child passenger-seat technician.

"Ever since this experience, it has been my personal mission to teach parents the do's and don'ts about child seat safety," Jeff Perez said. "I don't ever want any parent to experience this nightmare."

To learn how to properly install a car seat or booster, make an appointment at the Victorville CHP office by calling 241-1186.

Beatriz E. Valenzuela can be reached at 951-6276 or at BValenzuela@vvdailypress.com.

Top five mistakes when using a child safety seat1. Safety belt should hold seat in tightly; 65 percent misuse.2. Harness strap should be snug; 31 percent misuse.3. Harness straps should be at or above shoulder level; 23 percent misuse.4. Harness retainer clip should be at armpit level; 19 percent misuse.5. Locking clip should be used according to directions; 18 percent misuse